Power converters with component stress monitoring for fault prediction

Abstract

A power converter includes a controller and at least one circuit component. The controller is configured for monitoring stress on the circuit component during operation of the power converter and estimating a remaining life of the circuit component based on the monitored stress.

1 . A power converter comprising a controller and at least one circuit component, the controller configured for monitoring stress on the circuit component during operation of the power converter and estimating a remaining life of the circuit component based on the monitored stress. 
   
   
       2 . The power converter of  claim 1  wherein the controller is configured for generating a fault signal when the estimated remaining life of the circuit component is below a predetermined value. 
   
   
       3 . The power converter of  claim 1  wherein the controller is configured for estimating the remaining life of the circuit component by comparing the monitored stress on the circuit component with stored data for the circuit component. 
   
   
       4 . The power converter of  claim 3  wherein the circuit component is an electrolytic capacitor. 
   
   
       5 . The power converter of  claim 4  wherein the monitored stress on the electrolytic capacitor includes temperature stress. 
   
   
       6 . The power converter of  claim 5  wherein the monitored stress on the electrolytic capacitor further includes current stress or voltage stress. 
   
   
       7 . A system comprising a controller and at least one component, the controller configured for monitoring stress on the component during operation of the system and estimating a remaining life of the component based on the monitored stress. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the controller is configured for generating a fault signal when the estimated remaining life of the component is below a predetermined value. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the controller is configured for estimating the remaining life of the component by comparing the monitored stress on the component with stored data for the component. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the component is an electrolytic capacitor. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the monitored stress on the component includes temperature stress. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the monitored stress on the component further includes current stress or voltage stress. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the system comprises a power converter, and the power converter comprises the controller and the electrolytic capacitor.